Best of Venezuela

Venezuelais divided into four geographical regions. These are the Andes in the west, the Orinoco Basin in the east, the Caribbean Sea in the north and the Amazon Rainforest in the south.

This diversity allows for more than 1400 species of birds and over 25,000 species of orchids to exist in the 40 plus national parks.Caracas is the capital situated on the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and modern cities in South America.

-All sightseeing with entry fees as mentioned in the itinerary on SIC basis or Private.

-Airport transfers at destination on SIC or private

-1 water bottle per person/per day.

Package Exclusions.

- Items of Personal Nature.

-Visa fees (As Applicable).

- Travel Insurance.

- Service tax extra @ 3.09% is applicable.

- Anything not mentioned above.

Day 01: Arrival at Caracas.

Warm welcome with folded hand at Caracas ( South America) airport , On arrival meeting & assistance and transfer to hotel and take rest. In the evening briefing with your guide who accompanies you throughout the tour.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Caracas – Los Llanos.

After leisure breakfast . you will Transfer to airport and flight to Barinas. After arrival in Barinas you will transfer to hotel. Duration of the transfer is approx. 4 hours. In the afternoon you take your first excursion, an impressive photo safari during which you will be able to observe the variety of south American fauna, including amongst others capybaras, aardvarks, monkeys, deers, iguanas, alligators, caimans, turtles, snakes (with a little luck even the big anaconda) and over 300 different birds species. After sightseeing return to hotel and take rest.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: Llanos-San Fernando .

After leisure breakfast , you will go on another tour to explore a different area of the Hato. In the rainy season you have the chance to take a boat trip on the Río Matiyure to observe caimans, river dolphins and a wide variety of birds. Piranha fishing is also quite exciting. Latter after noon transfer to San Fernando de Apure.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: San Fernando-Amazonas.

After leisure breakfast you drive towards Puerto Ayacucho. It takes approx. 6 hours and leads you through savannah and along sand dunes. You cross small rivers and finally the mighty Rio Orinoco. Soon you arrive in Puerto Ayacucho where you will visit the Indian market. From there it takes only 20 minutes more to arrive at the Orinoquia Lodge, which is beautifully located on the offshore of the Orinoco River. You can relax the rest of the day and depending on the water level have a refreshing bath in the river.

Overnight stay at Orinoquia Lodge.

Day 05: Amazonas .

This day you will visit The Nationalpark Tuparro is in the region of Orinoquia in Colombia. It was founded in 1970 and is a paradise of birds, orchids, apes and river dolphins. Our tour starts in the morning from Orinoquia Lodge. In a motorized boat we navigate on the mighty Orinoco River, always bordering the river frontier to Colombia. At our arrival to the national park the guardian who will be our guide awaits us. We follow a small path through the jungle, passing by big trees and rocks until reaching finally a big slab. From there we have a beautiful panoramic view over the Orinoco River and the savanna. Far away we can see the Cuao mountain (if we have good weather conditions). After a while we go down to the river to see the Maipure rapids. Then we drive back to Orinoquia Lodge where we will arrive for a late lunch.

In the afternoon, when it is not that hot any more, we will drive to the “Piedra de la Tortuga”, 2 big granite laccolites which have the form of a turtle. We walk along the bottom of this rock and reach a big, open cave which was once an Indian burial place where you can still see some rock painting. Afterwards we will climb up the “back of the turtle” – the ascent takes about 30 minutes and is relatively steep but it is worth it – we can enjoy a wonderful sight over the savanna. Those who do not want to ascent the rock can in the meantime walk back to the house of the park guardians and wait there in the shadow for the rest of the group.

Overnight stay Orinoquia Lodge.

Day 06: Amazonas-Caura.

After leisure breakfast you leave to Rio Caura. The landscape is similar to an undulating savannah. After about 8 hours driving you leave the main road and turn into a narrow, red dirt road, which takes you through the jungle to Las Trincheras. You will be welcomed at the Caura Lodge, which is situated in Las Trincheras. On the terrace where all meals are taken you can enjoy the evening atmosphere and listen to the noises of the jungle.

This day you will go on a boat tour upriver into untouched jungle areas. After passing by some small rapids we reach the start of our short hike.

You will hike uphill through the jungle, observing a large variety of plants, such as orchids, bromeliads and vanilla plants. Finally, you will arrive at a big rock which lies in a clearing in the middle of the jungle. From there you have a fantastic view of the dark-green, unspoiled jungle and you can hear the sounds which come from somewhere out of the jungle.

In the afternoon you will make a short visit to one of the Indian villages. If we are lucky the women have just harvested manioc and we can see the production of Casabe, the typical Indian manioc bread (not guaranteed!).

Overnight stay Caura Lodge.

Day 08: Caura-Ciudad Bolivar.

After leisure breakfast you return to the main street and follow the street to Ciudad Bolivar. In the afternoon you have time to discover the historical center of Ciudad Bolivar.

Overnight stay Posada Angostura.

Day 09: Ciudad Bolivar – Canaima.

After leisure breakfast ,you will process for Ciudad Bolívar airport and take flight for Canaima in a small Cessnas 206. The village of Canaima is located on the shores of the dazzling red Canaima Lagoon, with 5 impressive waterfalls. Even though the water is clear, it appears rust-colored due to the high mineral content. The sandy beach of the lagoon is ideal for swimming and relaxing surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. In the afternoon you visit the Salto Sapo. You will begin this tour with a short boat ride across the Canaima Lagoon to enjoy impressive views of several waterfalls. After disembarking, you will hike for 35 minutes through the forest and savanna, arriving at the magnificent Salto el Sapo. You will have the unique opportunity to cross the waterfall behind the water curtain. Literally, a breathtaking experience, especially during the rainy season!

Overnight stay atTapuy Lodge.

Day 10: Canaima – Ciudad Bolivar.

Today morning you can relax at the lagoon, walk through the village or go for an optional excursion as e.g. an over flight of the Angel Fall (weather depending). In the early afternoon you fly back to Ciudad Bolivar.

Overnight stay Posada Angostura.

Day 11: Ciudad Bolivar-Delta.

After leisure breakfast you drive to Boca de Uracoa, a small river port in the Orinoco Delta. From Boca de Uracoa you will be transferred to the Abujene Lodge by boat. During this trip, which lasts from 1 – 1.5 hrs, you will already get an impression of the flora and fauna endemic to this area. After lunch you start your first excursion. You take a boat through the branches of the river, bordered by dense tropical rainforest. You might see fresh water dolphins and observe monkeys and a variety of birds like toucans and parrots. On a small river branch you get off the boat. In rubber boots you step upon swampy ground and walk into the delta forest. You gain an insight of the typical vegetation, e.g. the Moriche palm-tree, the Indians “tree of life” and its multiple uses. You taste the heart of the Manaca palm-tree, which only grows in the delta.

Overnight stay in a simple lodge in the Delta.

(Electricity from 18:00-22:00 h, only cold water)

Day 12: Delta-Caripe (B)

Today morning after breakfast you visit one of the Warao Tribe families which live in their huts built at the sides of the rivers. These Indians make beautiful handicrafts. Afterwards you return by boat to Boca de Uracoa and drive via Maturin to Caripe. This village is famous because of the Guacharo cave, which once was explored by Alexander von Humboldt. You reach the cave at dawn and will observe how the “Guacharos” (oil birds) leave the cave, starting their nightly flight with loud screaming.

Overnight stay Hotel Pueblo Pequeño.

Day 13: Guacharo Cave-Caribbean Coast (B)

Today morning after leisure breakfast you will visit the Guacharo’s Cave and explore its insides. In the first section of the cave, there are enormous stalactites and stalagmites, which have grown together forming interesting shapes. In the Hall of Silence, these formations glitter and gleam in thousands of colors reflecting the light of the lanterns. Deep down below you hear a roaring river. On the way to Cumana you visit a Coffee Hacienda, where you can learn about the process of Coffee. Afterwards you continue to Cumana, the oldest city of Venezuela. In a short circuit you will get to know the small historic centre before we head on to Lecheria/Puerto La Cruz (about 1.5 hours). On the way you have wonderful views over the Mochima National Park.

Overnight stay Hotel Punta Palma.

Day 14: Day on the beach (B)

After leisure breakfast ,This day is free on client’s disposal. They can relax at the beach of the hotel or at the swimming pool. It is also possible to do an optional tour to the National Park Mochima (not included).

Overnight Hotel Punta Palma.

Day 15: Dep. Barcelona-Caracas (B)

After leisure breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Caracas Airport and take your flight for onward journey.